Date of Award

2013-04-01

Degree Name

PhD Nursing

Dissertation Committee

Jane M. Georges, PhD, RN, Chairperson; Patricia A. Roth, EdD, RN; Ann M. Mayo, RN, DNSc, FAAN

Keywords

Arab Americans, health related quality of life, nursing, patients, religiosity, social support attitude, Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

HRQL is an important aspect of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and needs to be considered by healthcare providers. It is one of the most important outcomes of healthcare interventions, representing an integral public health goal in Healthy People 2000, 2010, and 2020. Arab Americans (AAs), one of the most rapidly growing minorities in United States, tend to have a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to describe determinants of HRQL, including social support attitude, religiosity, and select demographics for AA patients with type 2 diabetes. A descriptive correlational study using a cross sectional design was conducted. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by participants (N=185) recruited from mosques, churches, and two endocrinology outpatient clinics located in Southern California. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Multiple linear regression was performed to examine the variance in the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. The majority of the participants were male (60%). The sample mean age was 58.9 (SD = 12.21) years. Mean MCS (43.78, SD = 6.30) and PCS (47.00, SD = 8.15) scores were below the 2009 US diabetes population norms. In the MCS model the data explained 15.2% of the variance (F (6,178) = 5.302, p < .000). Participants with greater intrinsic religiosity are expected to have higher MCS scores (β = .043, p = .036). Participants with stroke are expected to have lower MCS scores (β= -10.208, p = .000). In the PCS model the data explained 47.3% of the variance (F (18,147) = 7.333, p < 000). Participants with neuropathy (β = -3.397, p = .039) who are unemployed or retired (β = -1.656, p = .046), or who have higher BMI (β = -.306, p = .005) are expected to have lower PCS scores. Married participants (β = 3.168, p = .037) and participants with greater social support attitudes (β = .824, p = .007) are expected to have higher PCS scores. AA patients with type 2 diabetes and with a history of stroke or neuropathy, or who are unemployed, retired, unmarried, or who have a high BMI may need close monitoring of their HRQL. Future interventions to improve HRQL should be designed that include considerations of religiosity and promote social support.

Document Type

Dissertation: Open Access

Department

Nursing

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